RedWine
11-17-2006, 08:36 AM
An award-winning actress and influential writer and producer, Mary Apick began her career in Iran as a young child, with roles in famous shows like “Octopus” and “Amir Arsalan”. A favorite at the “Little Tehran Theatre”, Mary pursued her passions for the arts until the Iranian revolution.
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick.jpg
Now in the United States, Mary Apick has continued her quest for truth through her art, films and plays. Having received the Moscow Film Festival Best Actress Award for “Dead End”, Mary had starring roles in Parviz Sayyad’s “The Mission” and “Checkpoint.”
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick2.jpg
While working with her husband, Bob Yari, filmmaker and a producer of the Academy Award winning film “Crash,” Mary wrote and starred in two politically charged plays, which were presented at the 7th Annual Los Angeles Theater Festival. One of those plays, “Beneath The Veil” has been so successful that is it slated for production in several other cities.
“Beneath The Veil” explores tensions between the Western world and the east. Co-written by Ginger Perkins and co-starring Diane Baker, the play takes a sober look at the lives of several women and what they face in Iran. Also in the play are Dariush Inrannejad, Deana Payne and Apick Youssefian. The Washington screening of “Beneath the Veil” was sold out and attended by the Pahlavi family. Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, the play was described as creating “an electric ambience, including sublime design elements and splendid dance sequences” by Les Spindel. These dance segments were choreographed by Mary Apick and performed by Banafsheh Sayyad.
The magnificent Mary Apick is on a quest for truth and we salute her on her efforts. We talked to her last week about her past and what this play means to her.
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick6.jpg
Tell us a little about your background and where you grew up?
Mary Apick: I was born in Tehran. I am a second-generation actress in my family. My mother the legendary Apick Youssefian is a pioneer in theater, Motion Pictures and Television. I became a household name via a TV series titled “Amir Arsalan” which my mother and Parviz Sayyad were starring in and followed by the Teen Age Character of “Manijeh” in a very popular TV series titled “Octopus” and “Persian literature stories.” I continued my work on stage at the “Little Tehran Theater.” Starring in many presentations of different stage productions. Meanwhile, I starred in 9 feature films including “Dash Akol.” I am the first woman in the Iranian and Asian Film history of Cinema who won the “Best Actress Award” from Moscow International Film Festival 1977 for a Motion Picture titled “Dead End” written and directed by Parviz Sayyad.
PM: What were some of the productions you were involved in Iran?
MA: I starred in the TV Series “Octopus” and “Kaff” show. In addition, I starred in the TV Series Persian Literature, in TV Theaters, and in 9 motion pictures, including Dash Akol, Secret of the Strange Valley, Mozafar, Queen of Shiba, and Dead End. I was also in the stage production at the “Little Tehran Theater” (The typist and the Tiger for 18 months on stage production, Cactus Flower and etc.)
PM: What were some of the productions you worked on after leaving Iran?
MA: I had the starring role in “The Mission” (Ferestadeh), “Checkpoint”, the play Khar “The Ass”, and NBC’s “On The Wings of Eagles”. I also produced the MGM release “Mind Games” and creating the children videos “Fairy’s Tale in the Forest” and “The Jewel of the Night”. I developed screenplays for the mass media through my production company. I actively support the ‘Rights of Women and the Children’ of Iran via weekly Television satellite programming for the abusive treatment they conduct towards them in Middle Eastern countries especially Iran. My latest work has been writing, producing, directing many theater productions including my recent work to write, direct and star in the play “Beneath the Veil”.
PM: You were really wonderful in Ferestadeh (The Mission) and Checkpoint with the legendary Parviz Sayyad. What is it like working with him?
MA: He is a great author and I have had the pleasure to have worked with him all my life literally since I was 10 years old. I have been his heroin in most movies, TV shows and theater productions. I share in his theory and thought process regarding the human life on this small planet earth as well as his vision of exploring his art through it. I am inspired by his vision. He is my colleague, partner and best friend.
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick3.jpg
PM: Tell us about your new play entitled “Beneath the Veil”.
MA: The play is about the voices of Middle Eastern women today particularly Iran. I thought there was a need at this particular time to explore and to create awareness for the painful reality that has been going on for centuries which is the abusive treatment of women via religion, which is conducted and executed upon women in the Middle East.
PM: Who was the play intended for and how it been received?
MA: It was presented at the “Los Angeles Theater Festival” (Edge Fest) October of 2005 and became “Critic’s Choice.” The play is intended to create awareness for the new generation of Iranians born in the United States and most importantly to reach out to the Western audience with mind-blowing circumstances and atrocities that they are not in contact with at all in terms of the Middle East and the present situation and lives of the women and children there.
PM: As an actress, writer, and producer, what is your motto in life and what drives you?
MA: I reflect upon and I become a mirror to the world and the social issues that are most important to me through my work, my art and my sensitivity. I see my national duty as an Iranian to explore the issues and matters concerning Iran and to try to help or change laws for the betterment of human beings specially women in the country of my birth.
PM: What do you miss most about Iran?
MA: I miss Iran immensely. I miss every corner that I lived or all my childhood memories are reflected upon. The fact that because of the religious revolution I had to leave Iran at a young age and never had the opportunity to explore the region as an adult by myself haunts me. I hope one day I could go back and explore the country of my birth in the way I wish.
PM: What is your next project?
MA: I have a motion picture project that involves Iran within the mass medium market in Hollywood (Stone Bird) and presently I am working on my next play “Rocket man” based on a book by Nancy Conrad regarding the late astronaut, the moonwalker C. Pete Conrad.
PM: Desert Island Three things. What will you take?
MA: A wonderful book, a swimsuit.
Favorite Color: Pink, Pastel blue
Favorite City: Up state New York
Favorite Dish: Reshteh polo and chicken with potato tahdige
Languages: English, French, Armenian, Farsi
Currently Reading: “The Rocket Man” By Nancy Conrad
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick4.jpg
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick.jpg
Now in the United States, Mary Apick has continued her quest for truth through her art, films and plays. Having received the Moscow Film Festival Best Actress Award for “Dead End”, Mary had starring roles in Parviz Sayyad’s “The Mission” and “Checkpoint.”
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick2.jpg
While working with her husband, Bob Yari, filmmaker and a producer of the Academy Award winning film “Crash,” Mary wrote and starred in two politically charged plays, which were presented at the 7th Annual Los Angeles Theater Festival. One of those plays, “Beneath The Veil” has been so successful that is it slated for production in several other cities.
“Beneath The Veil” explores tensions between the Western world and the east. Co-written by Ginger Perkins and co-starring Diane Baker, the play takes a sober look at the lives of several women and what they face in Iran. Also in the play are Dariush Inrannejad, Deana Payne and Apick Youssefian. The Washington screening of “Beneath the Veil” was sold out and attended by the Pahlavi family. Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, the play was described as creating “an electric ambience, including sublime design elements and splendid dance sequences” by Les Spindel. These dance segments were choreographed by Mary Apick and performed by Banafsheh Sayyad.
The magnificent Mary Apick is on a quest for truth and we salute her on her efforts. We talked to her last week about her past and what this play means to her.
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick6.jpg
Tell us a little about your background and where you grew up?
Mary Apick: I was born in Tehran. I am a second-generation actress in my family. My mother the legendary Apick Youssefian is a pioneer in theater, Motion Pictures and Television. I became a household name via a TV series titled “Amir Arsalan” which my mother and Parviz Sayyad were starring in and followed by the Teen Age Character of “Manijeh” in a very popular TV series titled “Octopus” and “Persian literature stories.” I continued my work on stage at the “Little Tehran Theater.” Starring in many presentations of different stage productions. Meanwhile, I starred in 9 feature films including “Dash Akol.” I am the first woman in the Iranian and Asian Film history of Cinema who won the “Best Actress Award” from Moscow International Film Festival 1977 for a Motion Picture titled “Dead End” written and directed by Parviz Sayyad.
PM: What were some of the productions you were involved in Iran?
MA: I starred in the TV Series “Octopus” and “Kaff” show. In addition, I starred in the TV Series Persian Literature, in TV Theaters, and in 9 motion pictures, including Dash Akol, Secret of the Strange Valley, Mozafar, Queen of Shiba, and Dead End. I was also in the stage production at the “Little Tehran Theater” (The typist and the Tiger for 18 months on stage production, Cactus Flower and etc.)
PM: What were some of the productions you worked on after leaving Iran?
MA: I had the starring role in “The Mission” (Ferestadeh), “Checkpoint”, the play Khar “The Ass”, and NBC’s “On The Wings of Eagles”. I also produced the MGM release “Mind Games” and creating the children videos “Fairy’s Tale in the Forest” and “The Jewel of the Night”. I developed screenplays for the mass media through my production company. I actively support the ‘Rights of Women and the Children’ of Iran via weekly Television satellite programming for the abusive treatment they conduct towards them in Middle Eastern countries especially Iran. My latest work has been writing, producing, directing many theater productions including my recent work to write, direct and star in the play “Beneath the Veil”.
PM: You were really wonderful in Ferestadeh (The Mission) and Checkpoint with the legendary Parviz Sayyad. What is it like working with him?
MA: He is a great author and I have had the pleasure to have worked with him all my life literally since I was 10 years old. I have been his heroin in most movies, TV shows and theater productions. I share in his theory and thought process regarding the human life on this small planet earth as well as his vision of exploring his art through it. I am inspired by his vision. He is my colleague, partner and best friend.
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick3.jpg
PM: Tell us about your new play entitled “Beneath the Veil”.
MA: The play is about the voices of Middle Eastern women today particularly Iran. I thought there was a need at this particular time to explore and to create awareness for the painful reality that has been going on for centuries which is the abusive treatment of women via religion, which is conducted and executed upon women in the Middle East.
PM: Who was the play intended for and how it been received?
MA: It was presented at the “Los Angeles Theater Festival” (Edge Fest) October of 2005 and became “Critic’s Choice.” The play is intended to create awareness for the new generation of Iranians born in the United States and most importantly to reach out to the Western audience with mind-blowing circumstances and atrocities that they are not in contact with at all in terms of the Middle East and the present situation and lives of the women and children there.
PM: As an actress, writer, and producer, what is your motto in life and what drives you?
MA: I reflect upon and I become a mirror to the world and the social issues that are most important to me through my work, my art and my sensitivity. I see my national duty as an Iranian to explore the issues and matters concerning Iran and to try to help or change laws for the betterment of human beings specially women in the country of my birth.
PM: What do you miss most about Iran?
MA: I miss Iran immensely. I miss every corner that I lived or all my childhood memories are reflected upon. The fact that because of the religious revolution I had to leave Iran at a young age and never had the opportunity to explore the region as an adult by myself haunts me. I hope one day I could go back and explore the country of my birth in the way I wish.
PM: What is your next project?
MA: I have a motion picture project that involves Iran within the mass medium market in Hollywood (Stone Bird) and presently I am working on my next play “Rocket man” based on a book by Nancy Conrad regarding the late astronaut, the moonwalker C. Pete Conrad.
PM: Desert Island Three things. What will you take?
MA: A wonderful book, a swimsuit.
Favorite Color: Pink, Pastel blue
Favorite City: Up state New York
Favorite Dish: Reshteh polo and chicken with potato tahdige
Languages: English, French, Armenian, Farsi
Currently Reading: “The Rocket Man” By Nancy Conrad
http://www.persianmirror.com/Images/Articles/914/MaryApick4.jpg